TEC MTCTE Update: Relaxation in ER Compliance for PON Family of Broadband Equipment Till 30 June 2026

The Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC), under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Government of India, has issued an important clarification regarding the acceptance of documents and exemptions under MTCTE for the PON Family of Broadband Equipment.
This update has been issued vide TEC letter No. 5-5/2024-TC/TEC dated 29 December 2025, in continuation of the earlier communication dated 26 June 2025.

Background

PON (Passive Optical Network)-based broadband equipment is regulated under the Mandatory Testing and Certification of Telecommunication Equipment (MTCTE) framework. Compliance with Essential Requirements (ER) generally involves submission of test reports, certifications, or declarations for multiple technical parameters.
To facilitate industry readiness and ease compliance challenges, TEC has now clarified the temporary acceptance status of exemptions, test reports, and self-declarations for certain ER parameters.

Key Highlights of the Notification

TEC has approved the following relaxations for PON Family of Broadband Equipment:

1. Protocol Test for Any PON Interface
   • Applicable Standard:
     • As mentioned in the Essential Requirements (ER)
   • Current Status:
     • Submission of test reports is exempted
     • Validity: Up to 30 June 2026
2. Automatic Laser Shut-Down (ALS) / Automatic Power Shut-Down (APSD)
   • Applicable Standards:
     • ITU-T G.664
     • IEC 60825 (Annex-A1)
   • Current Status:
     • Self-Declaration of Conformity (SDoC) by the Applicant or OEM is acceptable
     • Validity: Up to 30 June 2026

What This Means for Manufacturers and Importers

• Manufacturers and importers of PON-based broadband equipment can continue MTCTE certification without submitting certain test reports until the specified date.
• Self-Declaration of Conformity is sufficient for laser safety-related parameters during this period.
• This relaxation provides additional time to align testing infrastructure and documentation with TEC requirements.

Important Dates to Remember

• Notification Date: 29 December 2025
• Exemption Valid Till: 30 June 2026
• Post Deadline: Full compliance with ER documentation and test reports is expected unless further extension is notified by TEC.

Advisory for Applicants

Applicants are advised to:

• Maintain proper internal compliance records despite exemptions
• Track future TEC notifications for any extensions or changes
• Prepare for full testing and documentation submission well before the exemption deadline

Conclusion

This TEC clarification offers much-needed regulatory flexibility to stakeholders dealing with PON Family of Broadband Equipment under MTCTE. While the exemptions ease short-term compliance, proactive preparation for full ER compliance remains essential to avoid delays or certification issues after 30 June 2026.
For assistance with MTCTE certification, feel free to reach out to our regulatory experts.